Yamaha RX135

First of all, The RX135 was passed on to me by my dad, he bought it in 2003 and I got my hands over it, at the start of 2023 so we can clearly figure out that it’s a reliable piece of art and performance. The RX has always been an old-school charm in the 90s its first model the Rx100 was revealed in 1985 and since then it has been turning heads on the road. The riding experience is on the stiffer side but because of the very low seat height, it makes a lot of sense to daily commute on Indian roads. The light body and the overkill engine make this machine the ‘death racer’ of its time. The RX135 of course comes with a 135 cc engine with a 14bhp of power which wouldn’t let you feel sluggish with modern-day budget bikes. The candy red colour is the eye-catcher in the public, though it’s an old machine you’ll pull every eye on the road because of its unique design, its crisp sound and the amount of smoke trail it leaves behind because of the 2T oil used to lubricate the piston. Though it’s a reliable machine, I only had to spend 6k on its repair after it had stood in the garage for straight 7 years but sourcing the spares can be a bit of a task depending on the geography of your area. In the metro cities, you’ll find the spares very easily and at a cheap price. The maintenance is almost negligible as it doesn’t require your attention until you treat it respectfully. If you are someone who wants to collect old bikes like old bullets, Jawa's Yamaha RX is a pretty cheap option to start with. City rides and highway touring capabilities with luggage is very easy on the 135 cc variant you can easily cruise about 70 to 80 kmph.
Pros :
1. Till date you can expect a mileage of about 35+kmpl.
2. It’s an eye-catcher and one of its kind. Be ready to answer questions like ‘Will you sell it’ on a frequent basis.
3. Very Reliable a machine.
4. The resale value is almost triple.
Cons:
1. Sourcing spares can be a challenge.
2. Finding a seller with all the paperwork and green tax clearance is a task.

About the Reviewer

I own a rx-135 4-speed for the last 22 years! I use it for everything including touring. In cities, I ride at 60-70 kmph, but on highways always at 90-110 kmph! everyone knows the acceleration and the exhaust note, so I will skip that. I don't care for road humps and bumps while riding as I just slightly stand off the foot pegs and everything is butter smooth. To get the best riding experience of rx, one must ride in ghat sections with lots of hairpin bends (e.G. Masinagudi to ooty, bisle ghat, western ghat, dhimbam ghat, etc). For long trips, i usually carry a clutch cable and a spare tube, that's all. To date, it has not failed me despite me literally abusing the bike regularly. I have fallen off the bike at least 5 to 6 times while learning when it was new, and except for broken indicators, no major damage to the bike happened. I have not visited yamaha service center after the first 3 free services. All the spares are dirt cheap and all repair works are done by local and roadside mechanics. I sometimes wonder why modern bikes come with roadside assistance. the way I ride, the mileage is around 25 to 30 kmpl. I service the bike based on the usage and abuse it has taken, not by standard service intervals. I keep all papers up-to-date and still use the stock silencer, so no worries about traffic cops. I never got bored of this bike, so never thought of selling it! my overall experience with the bike is awesome!!!!!

About the Reviewer

I purchased my Yamaha rx-135, 5 speed on 20th june,2000.
It was made in 10.7.2000 by Escorts in Delhi and reached the showroom on 18.7.2000.
Me & my friend, mechanic joseph visited showrooms, godown and joseph started around 15 bikes. There he told me that this bike's engine beat was satisfactory! so my name on a sold card receipt was hanged on that bike's handlebar.
Then I fell in love! not with the two legged but two wheeled bike.
On 19.8.2021, it clocked 45,000 kms and got it's second RC certicate which was valid upto 2025.
Originally it was black in colour but 4 months back i painted it to Riviera green, one of the original 3 colors, 5-speed came with. All other paintings remain original.
From the first service, it gives 35 km/l constantly till date.
It is best used as a single seater as it has low end torque which is poor.
If you brake, you must go down two more gears, to keep the engine to pull fast.
I use castrol 2T oil and MRF nylogrip in the back and Ceat tyre in the front.
I service it every year, and I change spark plug, air filter, engine oil compulsorily so that my yamaha starts in a single kick all the time.
I polish it myself and never take it out in rain as it will take almost two hours to clean it.
I never allowed any one to ride my bike other than my sister & niece whom i taught how to ride my bike!
Performance: just a millimeter twist of the throttle and my yamaha will respond in a nano second. Quick overtake is possible even in 3rd and 4th gears.5th gear is almost an overdrive and on highway trips you can average 50kmpl.
I touched 100 kmph once but i am not interested in top speed! Enjoying each gear by revving upto 7500 rpm is the way I ride my bike. Sometimes I allow splendors to pass by smiling.
I have purchased my 3rd helmet and lost plenty of hair but it's ok.
My Yamahas' chain & big sprocket is still original!
My clutch wire cut off after 18 years of use.
There was a massive leakage with oil pump. Original spare was not available. My mechanics somehow made it to work which is a wonder till date.
Once i was coming out of a sweet stall near Trichy railway junction and a man got down from his ford figo came to me and asked whether i can sell my bike to him. I replied him politely," you can take my girlfriend, not my yamaha".
I appreciate all two wheelers and car owners, telling about what is special in their vehicle's.
I named by bike as wolf ,my childhood friend!(dog)
My youtube channel is called as wolf & fury and you can watch my yamaha rx-135,5 speed there.
I never changed my bike's catalytic converter exhaust as it controls emissions. I changed my headlight bulb in to halogen immediately after purchase. Original tvs tyres can be used for figure skating only.
I never use side stand. Only main stand. Always cover my bike with a full bike cover which is also 21 years old. My 81 year precious mother always stich it whenever there is a damage to the cover.
And one peculiar thing about 5 speed is if you close the petrol tap in the night ,bike wouldn't start in the morning at the first kick. So i always keep bike's petrol tap in open position.
I always keep my brakes response very sharp as my yamaha has ferocious acceleration.
Trichy- annamalai's yamaha service was so poor, I never went to a yamaha showroom for service again
By bike is maintained by my trusted mechanics for the past 21 years, Mr.Babu & Mr. Joseph.
More than 15 people appreciated my yamaha when it was new.
But now every day i receive plenty of compliments for my bike.
In short, me and my yamaha are made of two bodies but have a single two stroke heart!
Ps) i still keep my yamaha 's brochure and sold receipt laminated!

About the Reviewer